by Joe Corso
Charlie had had about enough of that kind of talk. “Shut up, the both of you.”
All three men looked at Charlie as if for the first time. They noticed the way he wore his guns and the confident look on his face, a face that didn’t show any fear.
“You fellas aren’t welcome here with good folks. Best be on your way now before you regret stopping to visit us.”
Judy was watching the interchange. She couldn’t believe Charlie had the courage to stand up to those men.
The three men looked around them and Charlie could see they wanted to spread out. But the restrictions of the cave opening meant they’d have to remain close to one another, which played in Charlie’s favor.
“You don’t know who you’re messing with, kid. If you don’t get out of our way we’ll drill ya.”
Charlie smiled. “Better men than you have tried to do that, but I’m still here.”
Jonathan, Doris and Judy were huddled together, afraid the men would kill Charlie. Percy got behind the wagon, quietly levered a round into the chamber, laid the rifle over a slab of rock and took aim. If the ball started he’d kill the man he had his sights on. He had a clear shot at the one on the right.
Harvey saw the kid was serious so he tried another approach . “Look, kid, we was just funnin’ with you. We wouldn’t touch a hair on those fine looking gals’ heads, now would we, fellas?”
Harvey turned to one of the men and, as the three of them laughed congenially, they went for their guns. But Charlie expected that and, as fast as lightning, he jerked his colt and lead flew. Harvey had a smile on his face as he felt a thud in his chest. He looked down and noticed a small red circle growing wider. He was confused. Charlie was the last thing he saw as everything darkened and he slipped into eternity.
The gunplay happened so fast that Percy never got a round off. Charlie had killed the three intruders before they could get a shot off.
Jonathan wiped his brow. “In all my life I never expected to see something like this happen before my very eyes. Those men would have killed us after they had their way with my wife and daughter. My God, son, you saved us again.”
Charlie nodded in agreement. “They surely would have done exactly that, Mr. Miller. I didn’t like the looks of those men the moment I laid eyes on them. I’m sorry the womenfolk had to see something as bad as this, but I’m afraid it couldn’t be helped. Come on now, let’s drag them into the back of the cave. The wolves and coyotes can have them now.”
Charlie noticed Percy standing by the wagon wheel, holding the Winchester. “I had your back, Charlie, but I’m glad I didn’t have to use this.” He held up the Winchester.
No one slept that night. Not because of the storm that came upon them so violently, but because of the gunfight . . . Except Charlie. He slept like a log with his wolf pup sleeping beside him. The smell of fresh coffee woke him. The rain, which had come upon them so suddenly, left just as quickly. The sky was clear and dawn would be upon them soon. Charlie turned from the cave entrance to get a cup of coffee but Judy Miller approached him.
“I just wanted to thank you for what you did last night. I was so frightened. I kept thinking of what those men said they’d do to my mother and me. I never witnessed anything like this before and I found that I was concerned for you. You were alone against the three of them and I thought that was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do. Well—that’s all I wanted to say.”
Charlie smiled and his smile seemed to brighten the entire cave. “Heck, Judy, I wasn’t alone there. Percy had a bead on one of the men and if something were to happen to me, he would have shot anyone that I missed.”
“That’s true,” she said. “But the fact is you faced those men alone and you beat them, and that’s something I’ll never forget. As long as I live I’ll tell everyone of the time the Lone Jack Kid saved me and my family from three killers in a cave not far from El Paso.”
Chapter 17
Before they saddled up, Charlie walked back to the three dead men and removed their guns, holsters and wallets. He gave the guns to Jonathan, with the warning that he might need them. He kept the wallets so that when he got to El Paso he’d have the sheriff check the wanted posters to see if these men were wanted for any crimes.
The traveling was slow due to the flash rain that flooded the road. It turned into a mud-rutted road that taxed the strength of the two Indian ponies pulling the wagon. The good news was that the sun came out again, shining brightly overhead. This brought hope it would dry the road and make it more navigable. Jonathan, who was driving the wagon, looked back over the side and waved to Charlie, indicating he wanted to talk to him.
Charlie pulled up alongside him. “Did you want to talk to me, Jonathan?”
“Yes. My daughter showed me her book, the book that Ned Buntline wrote about you, and I had a few questions. Did you really fight in the battle of Lone Jack in Missouri?”
“Yes, sir, me and Jesse and Cole. We were in that fight and a tough fight it was. Those blue bellies showed a lot of courage, but so did our boys in gray.”
“Last night I watched how you handled your guns. Did you learn to use them that way in the war?”
“Nah. I used to practice a lot with my brother Bob when we were growing up on our farm. To me, shooting was just a game and I never figured I was good with a gun until old Ned put me to the test.”
“You mean in the gunfight in the saloon in Lone Jack?”
“Yeah. Ned was about to get himself killed until me and Cole stepped in and helped out the old cuss.”
“Why do you call Buntline a cuss? You sound like you don’t like him.”
“No, just the opposite. I like him a lot, I really do. He’s a good, honest man. It’s just that I was really mad at him because he wrote a book about me without my knowledge.”
“But I don’t understand. Why would a book written about you make you angry? I should think you would be grateful that his book made you famous.”
“You don’t understand, Mr. Miller. Every person in every town I rode into had read it but me. I had no idea why men wanted to kill me. But because of that book, every gunfighter in every town wants to challenge me. So far I’ve been lucky, but one of these days my luck will run out, because there will be someone faster than me; and it will be because of that damned book Buntline wrote, The Adventures of the Lone Jack Kid.”
Unknown to them Judy listened to every word that was said . A fter reading hi s book she assumed Charlie was a cold-blooded killer . But when she heard what he said her opinion of him softened.
As Charlie was about to turn his horse he noticed Judy holding his pup, so he pulled alongside her. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing great, Charlie. Look how much weight he’s put on. Pretty soon he’ll be walking alongside the wagon instead of riding in it.”
Charlie agreed. “Yeah, it sure looks like it. Say, I just realized. I’ve never given him a name. We’ll have to do that tonight.”
When he said “we” would have to name him, Judy liked being included in his thoughts.
The road was becoming crowded with pilgrims going to and from El Paso. Charlie was getting excited about going there. He needed to take a hot bath, shave, and get some new duds. Then he’d look for the best restaurant in town and have himself a deluxe dinner.
“Well, it looks like we’ll be parting ways, Jonathan. But before we do I’d like to treat you all to a good dinner as my guests.”
Charlie, accompanied by Percy, found a barber shop barbershop that, besides cutting hair, also offered hot baths. Charlie asked the barber where the best place in town for a good dinner was. He was told to go to Nell’s Home Cooked Meals on Main Street. She cooked the best meals in town. Charlie thanked the barber, then and then paid for a bath, haircut and shave for both him and Percy.
When they left the barber shop barbershop they felt like new men. Now Charlie looked for a place either to buy some good traveling clothes or wash the ones they wore. He found it a
few doors from the barber shop barbershop . Charlie bought the same type of clothing he always wore and Percy did the same.
“What now, Charlie?”
“I want you to go back to the Millers and let them know we’ll be eating in Nell’s place in an hour. Meanwhile, I’m going to find the sheriff.”
Charlie walked into the sheriff’s office and introduced himself. “I was riding with the Miller family, mostly to make sure they weren’t attacked by Indians or molested by white men. We holed up in a cave not far from here to get out of a storm that hit us two days ago. Three men came to the cave and threatened the two women, a mother and daughter.”
The sheriff was hanging on to every word. “What happened to the three men? Did they harm the women?”
“No. I killed the three of them.”
The sheriff was speechless for a moment. “You killed all three of them?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“All three?”
“Yes. Here ’ s their wallets Here are their wallets . I’d like you to check your wanted posters to see if they’re wanted for any crimes.”
The sheriff took the billfolds and checked the names against his wanted posters.
“I found them. The three are wanted in Missouri for bank and stage robberies and the murder of the driver, the shotgun rider and a bank teller. There’s reward money due you. Five hundred each for two of them and three hundred for the third man. I don’t have that much on hand but I’ll have it in a few days. Will you be in town or are you just passing through? If you are, leave me an address and I’ll forward the money to you.”
“I intend to stay in town for a while, Sheriff.”
“I didn’t get your name, son.”
“I’m Charles Longstreet. If you could point me to a good hotel I’d be obliged.”
“Stay at the Oriental off Main Street. They have clean rooms and good meals. You won’t be sorry staying there.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. Much obliged.”
The sheriff looked at Charlie and squinted.
“What did you say your name was, kid?”
“Charles Longstreet, Sheriff. And what do I call you besides ‘sheriff’?” Charlie said, trying to change the subject with a good-natured smile.
“My name is Tom Tuscin, but my friends call me Tom. Wait a minute. I still have a few questions to ask you.”
“Go ahead, Sheriff, I’ll be happy to answer them.”
“How did you manage to kill all three of those men? Did you bushwhack them?”
“No sir, Sheriff. They were all standing right in front of me and I had Percy behind me, covering me with his Winchester. Only I didn’t know he was covering me.”
The sheriff scratched his head. “Now who the hell is Percy?”
“He’s a doctor friend who’s traveling with me.”
“Okay, I get it now. So Percy takes down one of the men, right?”
“No, Sheriff. It all happened too quick for Percy to have pulled the trigger. Everyone went for their guns but I managed to get off three quick shots before they could plug me.”
The sheriff rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow. “You killed three men in a gunfight and outdrew them?”
“That’s right, Sheriff.”
“I’ll want statements from at least two witnesses to confirm the fact that the gunfight happened the way you say it did. Wait a minute. Did you say your name was Charles Longstreet?”
“That’s right, Sheriff.”
“You’re the Lone Jack Kid . . . right?”
“Right again, Sheriff.”
“What are you doing way down here?”
“I’m chasing three men who bushwhacked me and left me for dead. I got one of them, but the other two are either here or in Tucson. They’re heading up into New Mexico, but I’ll track them down. They won’t get away.”
Charlie pulled out the wanted posters. “These are the men I’m looking for.”
The sheriff studied the posters. “Hmmm, Clem Sanders and Luke Watson.” The sheriff handed Charlie back the posters and rummaged through his own wanted posters until he found the two men. “I’m gonna walk this town and study every inch of every saloon and if these men are here I’ll find them.”
“Be careful, Sheriff. These men will kill you without warning.”
“Don’t worry, Kid, I’m not sheriff of El Paso for my good looks. I’m a lawman who knows what he’s doing. Now, a word of advice, Kid. There’s a lot of riff raff in this border town and if they find out that the Lone Jack Kid is in town they’ll be gunning for you.”
“I figured as much, Sheriff. That’s been the story of my life since Buntline wrote those books about me. I try to be careful, but I expect something like that to happen, so I’m always on my guard. But if something does happen, it won’t be me that starts it.”
Sheriff Tuscin patted Charlie on his shoulder. “I figured it would be something like that. Come on, I’ll walk you to the Oriental and buy you a drink.”
Chapter 18
Sheriff Tuscin joined Charlie, Percy and the Miller family at dinner. After dinner, and while they were waiting for the homemade apple pie that Nell was famous for, Charlie turned to Judy who sat next to him.
“I’ve been thinking of names for the wolves and I came up with a few which I’d like your opinion on.” Judy was happy to be a part of naming the wolf pups. “Since we found the pups in Apache territory, I thought of naming one of them Apache. The other two names I thought of are Lobo and Ban-Chu, which means wolf in Apache.”
“All three names are fine,” Judy said, “but if you want my opinion, Lobo and Ban-Chu are two fine names for the wolf pups.”
Charlie grinned ear to ear. “That’s what I thought too. That’s what we’ll name them then. Lobo and Ban-Chu. ”
Tap-tap-tap.
“Shit,” Charlie blurted out.
Tap-tap-tap.
“What does that mean, Charlie?”
“Oh hell. Someone is challenging me to a gunfight.”
Charlie turned to the sheriff. “Do you see what I mean, Sheriff. Every town I go to it’s the same story. How the hell did they know I was in town?”
Charlie stood and scanned the room for the source of the tapping sounds.
Judy shuddered. “Please be careful, Charlie.”
Charlie spotted some men standing at the bar with their backs to him. One of the men tapped the brass spittoon alongside him three times with his spur. The man never turned to face Charlie, who walked with determination straight towards the man. When Charlie reached him he grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. He was just about to clobber the man on the skull with the barrel of his gun, but instead he faced the grinning face of Jesse James. The Younger brothers and the James boys surrounded Charlie.
Sheriff Tuscin strode towards the commotion and shouted, “There’ll be no laws broken in my town, and especially no gun play.”
Charlie turned to the sheriff. “It’s okay, Sheriff. These are friends of mine and they were just having a little fun at my expense.”
The sheriff breathed a sigh of relief. “Boy am I glad to hear that. I thought I was going to have trouble with you boys.”
“Don’t worry, Sheriff, we won’t cause you any trouble. We’re staying here for a while and then we’ll be moving on. But if there’s trouble, we won’t be the cause of it. I give you my word of honor.”
The sheriff relaxed. “I have to make my rounds, Kid, but I’ll see you in a little while.”
“See you then, Sheriff.”
When the sheriff left Charlie invited the brothers to join them in a cup of coffee and some homemade apple pie.
“That sounds like what the doctor ordered. I’d love to have a big slice of homemade apple pie,” Jesse said, like a kid waiting for his mother’s pie to cool down before being allowed to have a slice.
The boys grabbed chairs from empty tables and crowded them around the table.
“Where are the rest of the guys?” asked Charlie, looki
ng around.
Frank pointed to the door. “Clell, Artie, Charlie Pitts and John Jarrette are down the street in a poker game. They said they’d see you later.”
Charlie nodded. “Guys, this is Percy. He’s a doctor and he’s traveling with me. These nice people here are the Miller family. Jonathan, Doris his wife and his daughter Judy. Folks, I’d like you to meet my friends Jesse and Frank James and these good looking lads are the Younger brothers.”
You could hear a pin drop in the crowded dining room. Everyone had heard of the famous outlaws, but here they were on their best behavior, sitting at the table among respectable folk. Jesse especially, who could put on the charm when he wanted to, put it on heavy while talking to Mrs. Miller. After a while Doris Miller felt right at home talking to Jesse, just as though she was his mother.
“Where are you staying?” Charlie asked Jesse.
“Over at the Oriental.”
“That’s where we’re staying too. I’d like to get together with you boys later so we could catch up on things. I hear tell you boys have been rather frisky lately.”
Cole raised an eyebrow. “And where did you hear that bit of news?”
“When I can find a Kansas City Times I read the editorials by Mr. Edwards, editor and owner.”
Jesse cut in. “Hell, Charlie, besides being a good and fair man Newman Edwards is a friend of ours. At least he tells it like it is. He writes the truth about what’s been happening to us. Did you know that the Pinkertons blew up our house, taking my mother’s arm off and killing my little brother?”
Doris crossed her arms. “You poor boy. Them Yankees have no right doing that to a good southern boy and his ma, especially when the war is over.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow and looked at Doris, who had never given any indication that she was a southern sympathizer.
Jesse put on his most sincere face and looked at Mrs. Miller with sad eyes. “We have no choice in the way we live our lives, ma’am. Those Yankee Pinkertons don’t give us a moment’s peace.”
He was laying it on thick, because the James–Younger gang wasn’t down in El Paso just on vacation.